The Message (movie)

The Message ( Arabic title : الرسالة [arrissala] 1 , the English title : The Message ) is a Moustapha Akkad film made in 1976 and released the following year.

Describing the life of the prophet of Islam Mohammed , this film has the particularity of being shot simultaneously in English and Arabic, with different main actors depending on the version. In accordance with the aniconism of the Islamic tradition , the prophet is never represented . Its presence is “evoked” , or “suggested” to the viewer, by the process of the subjective camera 2 , 3 . The same treatment is applied to Ali ibn Abi Talib who “appears” in the film.

Synopsis

In 610 , the West enters the Middle Ages and many civilizations disappear [ref. necessary] . The prophet Muhammad is 40 years old that year and he preaches the Qur’an . The action takes place from the year when he preaches the Qur’an in the year of his death in 632.

Production

Akkad meets the reluctance of Hollywood studios to produce a film about the origins of Islam and had to shoot his film with Kuwaiti , Moroccan and Libyan funding . The film was shot in Morocco and largely in Libya . Akkad consulted with Muslim scholars to respect Muslim beliefs, particularly regarding the portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad, to the point of having his film approved by al-Azhar University . He wanted to make a film that is a “bridge” between Muslim civilization and the West.

” I made this film because it represents a personal issue. In addition, his production is interesting, there is a story, a plot, a dramatic force. As a Muslim living in the West, I consider it my duty to tell the truth about Islam. It is a religion that has 700 million followers, yet we know so little about it that it is surprising. I thought telling this story could create a bridge to the West 5 . “

Reception

viewThis section does not provide enough sources (February 2016) .

Upon the release of the Message to the United States, the March 9 , 1977, an armed group of twelve African-American activists proclaiming themselves ” Hanafi Muslims ” and claiming in particular the destruction of the film they consider “sacrilegious” , takes 149 people hostage in three buildings in Washington . The hostage-taking lasts 39 hours and makes one (or two) death (s) and 12 wounded 2 , 6 .

The film was screened in prime time on Antenne 2 , during an issue of the show Les Dossiers de l’écran dedicated to Islam, in 1979 and on the channel Arte in prime time of the evening of July 24, 2017 7 .

Around the film

The film has been dubbed in 12 languages 1 .

It took four and a half months to build a replica of the city of Mecca .

The cast brought together more than 28 nationalities and different cultures.

Mohamed Ali was interested in the role of Bilal ibn Rabah but the filmmaker refused for fear that his notoriety would overshadow the film.

Almost all of Michael Forest’s replicas were dubbed by an Englishman to hide his American accent, which is ironic given that he was a doubler himself.

This is the latest appearance of British actor Peter Madden .

In 2015 , according to The Guardian relayed by Libération , its projection was canceled in Glasgow ( Scotland ) following a petition from “94 people claiming to be based in Nigeria , Bahrain and Saudi Arabia ” 1 . The problem that arose was that Anthony Quinn 1 – playing the role of Hamza , uncle of the prophet Muhammad – are dancing and “the fact that the companions of the Prophet […] [are] not embodied by the Muslim one . “